Atalapha, a Winged Brownie 
break in the forest that gave the sky a chance to 
see its own sweet face in the pools below. 
They were peaceful folk, the Beavers, and many 
of the shy little hush-folk, that the fairy books tell 
of, were glad and welcome to harbor and revel in the 
pleasaunce these water-workers had created. Thus 
it came about that the cool green aisle of the tim- 
ber land was haunted, in the Beaver vale east of 
Marcy. 
The Rose Moon glowed on the pine-robed moun- 
tain. The baby Beavers were learning to slap with 
their tails, and already the chirring in high places 
told of young birds grown and lusty. The peace of 
the forest was abroad, for it was calm and cool in 
the waning light. 
The sun sets thrice each day in Marcy Vale: 
First, when it drops so far that the tall timber on 
the western slope steeps all below in a soft green 
shade; this the sunset of the forest; again, when the 
great rugged breast of Mother Marcy blocks out all 
light from the trees; this is the sunset of the Moun- 
tain; and last, when the western world rim receives 
the light orb, the mountain’s brow turns red for a 
moment, then ashy pale; this is the sunset of the 
world. In a little while then all is dark, the sun 
peoples go to sleep and the hush peoples of shadow- 
land have now their day. 
144 
